Has Tatar earned more ice time???

No, and not right now. the first line is strangely effective. It might not be who want up there being effective, but they're working - and we need them working. Meanwhile, the third line is doing as well as we can probably hope right now, too.

On the road, maybe we change things to shelter Tatar/Andersson a bit. But with the home games, I don't see any great need to change things. Everyone's getting their minutes, and the team is finally starting to win again.

its fine and dandy that is working out ok like that right now, but lets say the wings do manage to make it into the playoffs, I think it will be very easy to shut them down come playoff time when the whistles go away and the defense tightens up, you basically just hound Datsyuk and that line will be worthless. At least with Tatar and him building some chemistry right now, I think at least in the playoffs that line would be harder to shut down with another option who seems to be able to create his own offense with little amounts of space.

No, and not right now. the first line is strangely effective. It might not be who want up there being effective, but they're working - and we need them working. Meanwhile, the third line is doing as well as we can probably hope right now, too.

On the road, maybe we change things to shelter Tatar/Andersson a bit. But with the home games, I don't see any great need to change things. Everyone's getting their minutes, and the team is finally starting to win again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jussha

its fine and dandy that is working out ok like that right now, but lets say the wings do manage to make it into the playoffs, I think it will be very easy to shut them down come playoff time when the whistles go away and the defense tightens up, you basically just hound Datsyuk and that line will be worthless. At least with Tatar and him building some chemistry right now, I think at least in the playoffs that line would be harder to shut down with another option who seems to be able to create his own offense with little amounts of space.

This is what I think too. I think we should see if we can get a great 1-2 punch which would be hard to contain. Then when Helm comes back our bottom 6 will improve a lot.

its fine and dandy that is working out ok like that right now, but lets say the wings do manage to make it into the playoffs, I think it will be very easy to shut them down come playoff time when the whistles go away and the defense tightens up, you basically just hound Datsyuk and that line will be worthless. At least with Tatar and him building some chemistry right now, I think at least in the playoffs that line would be harder to shut down with another option who seems to be able to create his own offense with little amounts of space.

By the same token, if they're hounding Datsyuk (and Z), that makes it all the more important our third line produces. And if the third line is producing, it'll force teams to work harder to defend them...taking some attention away from the other lines.

With the playoffs, though, I'm not sure it matters what we do if we don't get at least a little healthier.

I like TARTAR's game and he needs to play more minutes. He looks more effective than FLIP at this point. If FLIP is out longtime I hope we can get the lines like this:
Tartar Z Brunner
Franzen Pasha Nyquist

knowing the Wings they'll probably have one of them still in the AHL next year for some inexplicable reason

If they do that, I'll eat a shoe.

There is no way that, if they're both still with the Wings organ-I-zation next season, they're not at least on the team full-time. Tatar has put in *4* years in Grand Rapids, and Nyquist is too talented not to be with the Wings; 2 years in the A is enough for him.

Hell, you know what? I'd be okay with seeing this lineup (why does every thread turn into a "dream-lineup-fest?" ):

* Yes, I think Semin has acquitted himself nicely this season, and I love being wrong about players of his caliber. I don't know that he'd take that amount over a longer term (5 years?), but surely some GMs will offer him at least that.

There is no way that, if they're both still with the Wings organ-I-zation next season, they're not at least on the team full-time. Tatar has put in *4* years in Grand Rapids, and Nyquist is too talented not to be with the Wings; 2 years in the A is enough for him.

Hell, you know what? I'd be okay with seeing this lineup (why does every thread turn into a "dream-lineup-fest?" ):

* Yes, I think Semin has acquitted himself nicely this season, and I love being wrong about players of his caliber. I don't know that he'd take that amount over a longer term (5 years?), but surely some GMs will offer him at least that.

That really is a dream team. Contender for sure.

But picking up Semin and Perry is unlikely in itself.

But for those cap hits... they would need to be on 12 year deals?

Would you do it if it meant signing them both for life???

EDIT: just remembered, 7 year deal max. So maybe lowering cap hits is not as easy as before

???????: Todd Bertuzzi ($0.000m) -- Don't know what to do with him, really, but he's got to go.

I wonder if we'll see him retire over the summer because of his back. In a Freep article yesterday it mentions Bert had nerve damage in his back that also affected part of his right leg and put him in the hospital for a few days. It also said he's progressing a bit better lately, but still...that doesn't sound good for his long term health.

I know a lot of us aren't thrilled with some of Holland's decisions, but this summer could be another summer of significant turnover. While it might result in more kids playing, big turnover can also result in very uneven play - something that doesn't sit well with folks around here, to say the least.

Just curious, but why is Drew Miller the odd man out here? He's cheaper than Abby and I'm not sure if Abby brings more to the table than Drew Miller.

Miller has 2 goals and 2 assists on the year, playing slightly less minutes than Abby who has only 1 assist. But Abby has been playing a few games with Pavel Freaking Datsyuk and still only has a single assist on the year. Miller is -1, Abby is -5.

They both play on the PP. If Abby isn't centering, what does he have that Miller doesn't also have? It's not as though Miller is a delicate flower who doesn't hit. I just figure if the difference seems to tip in Miller's favor, *and* he's cheaper, go with him, use the money elsewhere.

I wonder if we'll see him retire over the summer because of his back. In a Freep article yesterday it mentions Bert had nerve damage in his back that also affected part of his right leg and put him in the hospital for a few days. It also said he's progressing a bit better lately, but still...that doesn't sound good for his long term health.

I know a lot of us aren't thrilled with some of Holland's decisions, but this summer could be another summer of significant turnover. While it might result in more kids playing, big turnover can also result in very uneven play - something that doesn't sit well with folks around here, to say the least.

He won't retire that would screw the Wings. Wings will put him on LTIR like the Flyers have done with Pronger if he can't really play any longer.

He won't retire that would screw the Wings. Wings will put him on LTIR like the Flyers have done with Pronger if he can't really play any longer.

is it really screwing the wings though? his cap hit is only 1.8 million I believe, and if he frees up space for a younger body it may be a blessing in disguise and solve a problem for Holland that he would be reluctant to do otherwise. Though going on LTIR does essentially the same thing, but does NHL investigate things like this now if it seems he is only doing that so the wings dont get screwed over capwise?

I wonder if we'll see him retire over the summer because of his back. In a Freep article yesterday it mentions Bert had nerve damage in his back that also affected part of his right leg and put him in the hospital for a few days. It also said he's progressing a bit better lately, but still...that doesn't sound good for his long term health.

Since it's a 35+ deal with one more year, I'd rather they bury him on IR, particularly with the cap going down.

On the other hand, it won't affect the cap, in all likelihood, if we don't spend to the cap. But I've been thinking all along that this back injury was probably the end of Bertuzzi's career. And it's a shame to see that.

Just curious, but why is Drew Miller the odd man out here? He's cheaper than Abby and I'm not sure if Abby brings more to the table than Drew Miller.

Eh, the bottom line wasn't really my priority other than Helm and Toots, but you're right about Miller being cheaper and more effective; the only question I think the staff might have is whether or not Miller is "tough enough" to grind it out on that line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winger98

I wonder if we'll see him retire over the summer because of his back. In a Freep article yesterday it mentions Bert had nerve damage in his back that also affected part of his right leg and put him in the hospital for a few days. It also said he's progressing a bit better lately, but still...that doesn't sound good for his long term health.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vladdy84

He won't retire that would screw the Wings. Wings will put him on LTIR like the Flyers have done with Pronger if he can't really play any longer.

That was my first "work-around" thought, but if the league could prove cap circumvention, the Wings would be in a world of hurt.

Quote:

I know a lot of us aren't thrilled with some of Holland's decisions, but this summer could be another summer of significant turnover. While it might result in more kids playing, big turnover can also result in very uneven play - something that doesn't sit well with folks around here, to say the least.

Get ready to put on your moderatin' shoes, boys (and girls)...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claypool

Defense is still ew.

Well, I'm pretty sure the Wings aren't going to part with Kronwall, Ericsson is staying unless he completely faceplants, Lashoff and Smith will likely be somewhere in the bottom pairings, and what other options are there for a PMD after White? Within the system, Billins and Almqvist aren't even close to ready, and value-wise, the UFA market is looking pretty slim. Who knows, maybe Quincey makes me eat my words and turns into an offensive dynamo, but I doubt it -- AND he's more expensive. Maybe they give Anton Babchuk a run; he's young, huge, has a monster (right-handed) shot, and could probably use the structure of Detroit (as well as the leadership of Datsyuk)...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoupNazi

Since it's a 35+ deal with one more year, I'd rather they bury him on IR, particularly with the cap going down.

On the other hand, it won't affect the cap, in all likelihood, if we don't spend to the cap. But I've been thinking all along that this back injury was probably the end of Bertuzzi's career. And it's a shame to see that.

Since it's a 35+ deal with one more year, I'd rather they bury him on IR, particularly with the cap going down.

On the other hand, it won't affect the cap, in all likelihood, if we don't spend to the cap. But I've been thinking all along that this back injury was probably the end of Bertuzzi's career. And it's a shame to see that.

I'm not sure they could. I get the impression his back will be healthy enough for him to come to camp and "play," but he might just not want to risk messing it up some more.

its fine and dandy that is working out ok like that right now, but lets say the wings do manage to make it into the playoffs, I think it will be very easy to shut them down come playoff time when the whistles go away and the defense tightens up, you basically just hound Datsyuk and that line will be worthless. At least with Tatar and him building some chemistry right now, I think at least in the playoffs that line would be harder to shut down with another option who seems to be able to create his own offense with little amounts of space.

Yeah. In about 2-3 weeks, people are going to stop trying to defend the Abs-Dats-Cleary line.

Tatar is the most promising young Red Wings forward I've seen in a long, long time.
Probably since Zetterberg was a rookie
I think if he spent the rest of the season on Datsyuk's line, he'd get calder consideration.

I honestly expect this kid to turn into a 35 goal man one day. Maybe in the next 2-3 seasons.

He's a hard worker. He's effective on the boards. He makes plays. He attacks the net. I'm very impressed with this kid.

I don't think he'll be on the level of Zetterberg or Datsyuk...but I can see him on the level of a Franzen